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Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Defends 13 Reasons Why Renewal: “Nobody Has To Watch It”

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings defended the decision to renew the controversial teen drama series 13 Reasons Why for a third season, despite concerns from one parenting group that warned the streaming service could potentially have “the blood of children on their hands” for the shows graphic depictions of suicide and sexual violence.

13 Reasons Why has been enormously popular and successful. Its engaging content,” Hastings said during the companys annual shareholder meeting. “It is controversial. But nobody has to watch it.”

Hastings expressed Netflixs support for the series while seemingly shrugging off concerns of the advocacy group.

The show, whose first season was structured around the narrative of a girl explaining posthumously why she committed suicide, was a huge hit, especially among teen viewers. But its graphic depiction of Hannah Bakers death sparked criticism that the show glamorized suicide, prompting Netflix to add viewer warnings.

The second season arrived with another swirl of controversy. Netflix canceled the premiere party for the second season of the teen drama because of last months school shooting near Houston that left 10 people dead. The current season deals with the aftermath of Bakers death, but also includes a storyline about a students thwarted plans to shoot up a school dance in revenge for a sexual assault.

“Netflix has delivered a ticking time bomb to teens and children who watch 13 Reasons Why. The content and thematic elements of the second season are even worse than we expected,” said PTC President Tim Winter in a statement. “We would have liked to have 13 reasons for hope and redemption following the graphic suicide of the lead female teen character, but rather than providing a path forward, the season only provides cause for despondency.”

The advocacy group is even more vocal in criticizing todays decision to renew the series for a third season.

“We condemn Netflix for renewing its teen-targeted suicide drama 13 Reasons Why. The company already potentially has the blood of children on their hands from keeping this series – with its graphic suicide scene, its sodomization of a teen boy and a potential school shooting, among other adult content – on its platform for children to view,” Winter said in a statement.

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